E-grāmata: Genetically Modified Organisms: A Scientific-Political Dialogue on a Meaningless Meme

'This is an excellent book presenting a very strong case for abandoning the acronym GMO. It will be extremely helpful to scholars and educators in developing countries who need to persuade their populace and politicians to adopt modern methods to reap the benefits of more nutritious foods and greatly improved yields.'Sir Richard J. Roberts,Winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology'The book addresses the highly technical and political issue of GMOs with a pleasant and original approach, based on a dialogue between various characters. It also contains an impressive number of scientific references for those who would like to explore this complex issue in more detail.'Marcel Kuntz,Director of Research at CNRS in the Cell and Plant Physiology Laboratory, Grenoble, France'The tone is conversational, the mood is convivial, and the language always accessible. He knows the science and explains it with technical precision, then lays out the psychology, economics, and politics through one case or example after another, all suitably annotated for those who want to learn more.'Robert Paarlberg,Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College'This book is a splendid explanation of many of the controversies around GMOs, written for a broad audience by an expert with deep insights into relevant scientific fields and the public debate. [ ..] The book is hugely important to rationalize the debate and should be read by anyone interested in new agricultural technologies and sustainable development.'Matin Qaim,Schlegel Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Bonn, Germany'I am pleased that Molteni Tagliabue has collected his insightful writings into a book on this important subject. His work draws upon a wide range of disciplines in pursuit of an honest, rational discussion. His creative approach is an admirable effort to inject reason into the contentious debate on "GMOs" and to combat misinformation.'Pamela C. Ronald, Distinguished Professor, University of California at Davis'This book does an enchanting reading. It's a tour de force covering cleverly almost all aspects of modern agricultural biotechnology and providing a convincing argument why it's essential for the survival of humanity as we face challenges of climate change and food security and why political forces have been constraining its application. The book presents the debate associated with introducing GMOs as a traditional debate between science and progress against dogma. After reading it, I hope that science will win for the sake of all of us.'David Zilberman, Professor, University of California at Berkeley'This book is a comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the reasons mostly political for the continuing discussions over such a complex subject: the author shows how the blank rejection of an innovative (bio)technology is illogic, detrimental for societies and counterproductive for the same professed aims of its stubborn opponents.'Channapatna Prakash, Dean, Tuskegee University, USA'This comprehensive and fully-developed book explores the incoherence of the term 'GMOs' (and its consequences) in terms of science, philosophy, law and regulation, psychology, economics, environmental protection, consumer information, and public policy.'Drew L. Kershen,Earl Sneed Centennial Professor of Law (Emeritus), University of Oklahoma'Claiming that only modern varieties created by means of genetic engineering are genetically modified, while all the other are not, is a lie, and the term GMO must be rejected. The author has done a great job by exploring in depth the meaninglessness of the acronym. He has pondered the mazes of its interpretation much more than many of the scientists in the field. His work is a worthy reading, particularly for politicians, teachers, scientists, all people interested in agriculture and, more broadly, in culture.'Piero Morandini, Associate Professor, University of Milan, Italy'After half a century of global fearmongering by the GMO dragon, Molteni Tagliabue finally slays and dissects the demon/ bugbear/ spectre/ phantom/ bogeyman, only to reveal it never really posed a threat.'Alan McHughen,Professor, University of California at Riverside